Last Updated on 04/05/2026 by Andy Clark
Constitution Hill’s next race remains undecided after Nicky Henderson withdrew the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner from the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury on 18 April due to fast ground.
The Seven Barrows handler has openly discussed several options — including 0-100 handicap routes given the gelding’s official Flat rating of 101 — and the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury on 16 May has emerged as the most likely Group target. Below: every realistic next race option, the timing, the ground concerns, and where Constitution Hill’s career sits after one of the most surprising reinventions in modern jumps racing.
Constitution Hill Next Race — Quick Answer
| Race | Date | Course | Trip | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Park Stakes (Group 3) | Sat 16 May | Newbury | 1m 5f | Group 3 |
| Northern Dancer Handicap | June | Epsom | 1m 4f | Class 2 (0-100) |
| Duke of Edinburgh Handicap | June | Royal Ascot | 1m 4f | Class 2 |
| Old Newton Cup Handicap | July | Haydock | 1m 3f | Class 2 |
The Aston Park Stakes at Newbury on 16 May is the most plausible Group target — same course and distance as the John Porter that Constitution Hill was originally entered for, a month later, and offering the chance to test Group 3 form against a typically reasonable field. Ground conditions remain the primary variable. Henderson has been clear he won’t run Constitution Hill on quick ground.
Why Was Constitution Hill Pulled From the John Porter?
Henderson made the call after walking the Newbury track on Wednesday, 15th April, with clerk of the course George Hill. Despite the official going being read as “good,” Henderson concluded the surface was too quick for his big, scopey gelding.
Speaking to the Racing Post at the time:
“We’re not going to run him. I just can’t do it, and there’s no point in waiting any longer because the rain is not going to come in before Saturday. I walked the track with George and he said it’s only going to get quicker. There’s quite a big difference between good, good to firm on the Flat, and good, good to firm over jumps, and it’s surprising how big that difference is.”
The decision was driven by Constitution Hill’s physique. Henderson has repeatedly noted that “he’s a big, heavy boy. He runs as a Flat racehorse, but he doesn’t look anything like one.” For a horse of that build, fast ground risks both injury and underperformance — neither of which Henderson is willing to accept this far into his Flat reinvention.
The Most Likely Next Race — Aston Park Stakes, Newbury, Saturday 16 May
The Group 3 Aston Park Stakes is shaping up as the realistic Group target if Henderson opts to test Constitution Hill in pattern company before the summer break.
Why it fits:
- Same course, same distance — 1m 5f at Newbury, just one furlong further than the John Porter
- A month later — gives the ground a chance to ease, and gives Constitution Hill more time on the Flat
- Group 3 level — a logical step up from his Southwell and Kempton novice wins without jumping straight into Group 1 company
- Reasonable field strength — the Aston Park typically attracts a smaller, more navigable field than the John Porter
Why it might not happen:
- Ground at Newbury in mid-May can still be quick if a dry spring continues
- Henderson has been openly considering the handicap route, which suggests he isn’t 100% committed to the Group level
- Some industry observers think Constitution Hill might benefit from another novice or conditions race before stepping into Group company
The Aston Park Stakes is sponsored by Sky Sports Racing and runs at Newbury’s Premier Saturday meeting on 16 May. ITV Racing typically broadcasts the bigger races on Newbury’s Premier Saturdays. For our latest ITV Racing tips, see our hub.
The Handicap Route — Three Class 2 Targets
Henderson explicitly mentioned the 0-100 handicap option in his Racing Post interview after the John Porter withdrawal, citing Constitution Hill’s official rating of 101. Three handicap targets stand out for May-July, all over similar distances to Constitution Hill’s preferred 1m 4f to 1m 5f range.
Northern Dancer Handicap, Epsom — June 2026
A Class 2 handicap (0-100) at Epsom over 1m 4f, run during the Epsom Derby Festival in early June. The Derby trip and undulating Epsom course is a genuine test of stamina and balance — qualities Constitution Hill has shown over hurdles.
Duke of Edinburgh Handicap, Royal Ascot — June 2026
A Class 2 handicap at Royal Ascot over 1m 4f. Last year’s race was won by Ethical Diamond. Royal Ascot’s stage would be a fitting venue for one of British racing’s most famous gelding’s first major Flat assignment, and the ground at the Royal meeting tends to be more predictable than at Newbury thanks to extensive watering.
Old Newton Cup Handicap, Haydock — July 2026
A Class 2 handicap at Haydock over 1m 3f in mid-July. Haydock’s left-handed undulating course is similar in profile to Newbury, and the typically softer ground there compared to other July fixtures might suit Constitution Hill’s preference. The cooler northern climate and Merseyside rainfall tend to help.
Constitution Hill’s 2026 Flat Career So Far
The reinvention from broken-down hurdler to Flat performer has been one of British racing’s stories of the year.
| Date | Course | Race | Distance | Result | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 2026 | Southwell | Conditions Stakes (AW) | 1m 4f | Won by 6+ lengths | 8/11 fav |
| 25 Mar 2026 | Kempton | Virgin Bet Novice Stakes | 1m 3f 219y | Won | 1/5 fav |
| 18 Apr 2026 | Newbury | John Porter Stakes (G3) | 1m 4f | Withdrawn (ground) | – |
Two starts, two wins, both on the all-weather. Constitution Hill’s official Flat rating was assigned at 101 after his Kempton win — putting him into the 0-100 handicap bracket only marginally. Genuine Group-level Flat ability remains unproven on turf.
Why Has Constitution Hill Switched From Hurdles to the Flat?
The full reinvention story explains why Henderson and owner Michael Buckley pivoted away from the jumps career.
The fall sequence: Constitution Hill fell three times in his last four starts over hurdles before the switch — at Newcastle in November 2024 (Fighting Fifth), at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival (Champion Hurdle), and at Aintree (Aintree Hurdle). A subsequent disappointing display at Punchestown in May 2025, where he was beaten well behind State Man, deepened the concern.
The decision: Henderson and Buckley sat down to assess options. Both jumping and Flat routes were considered. The trainer was clear about the dilemma: “I’m sitting on this guy that is causing the biggest headaches of my life and a lot of it is because he is not straightforward. He has now even got predictable at falling over.”
The switch: The Flat career was confirmed in February 2026. The Southwell debut on 20 February 2026 came a month later — a comfortable winning return that suggested the reinvention had legs.
The 2023 Champion Hurdle context: Constitution Hill was once described by Tony McCoy as the “horse of a generation.” His 2023 Champion Hurdle win was one of the most dominant Cheltenham Festival performances in recent memory. That makes the switch to Flat racing, and the relatively modest 101 official rating, a remarkable shift in trajectory.
Constitution Hill Career Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Foaled | 17 March 2017 |
| Age | 9 |
| Trainer | Nicky Henderson (Seven Barrows) |
| Owner | Michael Buckley |
| Sire | Blue Bresil |
| Dam | Queen Of The Stage |
| Career runs | 16 |
| Total wins | 12 |
| Hurdle runs | 14 |
| Hurdle wins | 10 |
| Flat runs | 2 |
| Flat wins | 2 |
| Group 1 hurdle wins | 8 |
| Official Flat rating | 101 |
| Total prize money | £909,903+ |
Will Constitution Hill Run at Royal Ascot?
The Duke of Edinburgh Handicap on day three of Royal Ascot (Thursday 18 June 2026) is a realistic target. The race fits Constitution Hill’s profile in three ways:
- Distance: 1m 4f matches his Kempton winning trip almost exactly
- Class: A Class 2 handicap fits within the 0-100 category Henderson explicitly mentioned
- Stage: Royal Ascot is the obvious venue to introduce a high-profile horse to Group/Listed-adjacent company
The unknowns:
- Ground: Royal Ascot tends to be watered to ensure good ground, but a dry June can still produce quicker conditions than Henderson would want
- Field strength: Royal Ascot handicaps are typically the most competitive 0-100 races of the season, so even at the right rating, winning isn’t guaranteed
- Timing: Henderson may prefer to give Constitution Hill another run before the Royal meeting rather than going there cold
ITV Racing broadcasts Royal Ascot live across all five days. The Duke of Edinburgh is one of the bigger handicaps of day three, typically getting full coverage. For our Royal Ascot tips and free bets, check our hub closer to the meeting.
Constitution Hill Next Race FAQs
Where will Constitution Hill run next?
Henderson has not committed to a specific race. The Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury on 16 May is the most likely Group target, with the Northern Dancer at Epsom (June), Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot (June) and Old Newton Cup at Haydock (July) all mentioned as potential 0-100 handicap routes.
Why did Constitution Hill miss the John Porter Stakes?
Nicky Henderson pulled Constitution Hill from the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury on 18 April due to fast ground. Henderson walked the track on 15 April with clerk of the course George Hill and concluded the surface was too quick for his big, heavy gelding. Henderson has consistently said he won’t run Constitution Hill on good-to-firm ground.
What is Constitution Hill’s official Flat rating?
Constitution Hill is rated 101 on the Flat after winning back-to-back races at Southwell and Kempton in February and March 2026. The rating puts him into the 0-100 handicap category by a single point, opening up a range of Class 2 handicap options that Henderson has openly considered.
Has Constitution Hill retired from hurdles?
Yes. Henderson confirmed the move to the Flat in February 2026 after Constitution Hill fell three times in four starts over hurdles. The Flat career began with a winning Southwell debut on 20 February 2026.
Who owns Constitution Hill?
Constitution Hill is owned by Michael Buckley. He was bought for £120,000 by Nicky Henderson on Buckley’s behalf at the Goffs Horses in Training sale in 2021.
Who is the Constitution Hill jockey?
Ryan Moore rode Constitution Hill to victory in the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes at Kempton on 25 March 2026. Nico de Boinville was the regular partner during the hurdling career, but the Flat campaign has seen Constitution Hill ride out for top Flat jockeys.
What was Constitution Hill’s biggest hurdle win?
The 2023 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival — a 9-length defeat of State Man, in what many observers consider one of the most dominant Champion Hurdle performances of the modern era. Tony McCoy described Constitution Hill as the “horse of a generation” after that race.
How can I bet on Constitution Hill’s next race?
Most major UK bookmakers will list odds on Constitution Hill’s next race entry as soon as it’s confirmed. bet365, Betfred and William Hill all offer ante-post markets on his potential 2026 targets, plus same-day prices on race day. See our Best Horse Racing Betting Sites guide for a full bookmaker comparison.
When is Constitution Hill expected to retire?
No retirement date has been confirmed. At nine years old, Constitution Hill is approaching the back end of his racing career — but Henderson has indicated the Flat campaign could extend into late 2026 if it goes well. A summer break is expected before any potential autumn campaign.
How much prize money has Constitution Hill won?
Constitution Hill has won over £909,903 in total prize money across his hurdling and Flat careers. The bulk came from his Group 1 hurdle wins, including the 2023 Champion Hurdle (£280,000+).
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Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.